As the latest numbers show, only 40 rape kits remain untested in the Wilmington area
Attorney General Josh Stein s Office continues to request additional funds to process any backlog of rape kits in the state
N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein s initiative to decrease the number of untested rape kits in the state has also helped solve more rape cold cases including in the Wilmington area.
According to Laura Brewer, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein s communications director, there are currently 16,186 rape kits that have been inventoried since the last inventory count in 2019. Of those, 2,925 kits completed testing, and an additional 5,342 are in process.
Josh Benton was out getting popsicles after his son s baseball game and putting the gear in the car, parked near the basketball courts, when he and his family heard gunshots erupt at Long Leaf Park.
He said he got down on the ground and covered his son while his wife was putting their two-year-old daughter in her car seat and laid on top of her to protect her.
Benton said at least three bullets hit the tree right behind him. A lot of people were running around everywhere, Benton said.
Both the New Hanover County Sheriff s Office and Wilmington Police Department responded to the scene after the shooting happened around 7 p.m. on May 5 near the park s basketball courts.
Hanover sheriffâs office prepares for Natâl Night Out Kids pose with members of the Hanover Sheriff s Office during National Night Out. (Source: Hanover County Sheriff s Office) By NBC12 Newsroom | May 8, 2021 at 12:18 PM EDT - Updated May 8 at 12:18 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Hanover County Sheriffâs Office is preparing for its highly-ranked National Night Out program.
The annual event, slated for Tuesday, Aug. 3, encourages community members to strengthen their relationships with fellow neighbors and law enforcement partners.
âThe goal is to heighten crime-prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anticrime programs, and most importantly, send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back,â stated a release from Hanover County Sheriffâs Office.
Patrol of parks increases following Long Leaf shooting
NHCSO Statement on Long Leaf Shooting By Jack Gallop | May 7, 2021 at 8:25 AM EDT - Updated May 7 at 10:09 AM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Law enforcement presence at parks in Wilmington will be increased beginning Friday.
Following Wednesdayâs shooting at Long Leaf Park, New Hanover County Sheriffâs Office announced Thursday that patrol of parks will be increased.
New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon released the following statement Thursday night:
âLast nightâs event was a tragic event for everyone involved. Any and all shootings are terrible and certainly made worse when they involve the innocent lives of our children at large gatherings. I am committed to providing a safe environment at all of our county parks. Beginning today I have increased patrols of the parks. I have also added two Deputies to be present during the Little League functions. As for the investigation we continue to investigate a
Today, they remain shaken by the experience.
Lt. Jerry Brewer, New Hanover County Sheriff s Office public information officer, was at the park waiting for his son s baseball game to start. He said he heard three loud shots and was not sure if they were fireworks or not at first. I knew something wasn t right and kept an eye on my son, Brewer said. I heard more shots then grabbed my son and heard one come through a tree near us. Everyone grabbed their kids to hide, and we ran all the way to the municipal golf course. Lots of people were screaming, and it s a tragedy that these kids got scared and their families.